# BRICS, Thaw, and Limits

Source URL: https://polimeme.com/discussion/thread_8cd9e4d3f180f101
First seen: 2026-09-17 06:40 UTC · Latest activity: 2026-09-17 00:21 UTC
3 core pieces, 6 related pieces

## Summary

Modi and Xi have signalled a limited thaw, while BRICS leaders again use the summit to project coordination. What is at stake is whether that easing can last and whether BRICS can turn symbolism into leverage against the West.

## Core contention

Can the India-China thaw hold, and can BRICS move from symbolism to real geopolitical leverage?

## Argument map

1. India-China ties may ease only tactically, so rivalry stays the default in Asia. — Michael Kugelman (Foreign Policy)
2. BRICS offers coordination and visibility, but internal splits block a united challenge to Western power. — Libor Dvořák (Český rozhlas Plus (Komentáře)), Patrick Zoll (NZZ)

## Fault line

The split is over whether recent diplomacy changes strategy or only pauses rivalry.

## New element

The latest items keep the same two questions in view: the durability of the India-China thaw and BRICS' ability to act beyond symbolism.

## European relevance

Europe has to judge BRICS as a forum that can affect sanctions pressure, trade alignment, and diplomacy with China, India, and Russia.

## Distinct theses in this debate

- India-China rapprochement is real but limited, and rivalry will remain the long-term default
- BRICS is symbolically important, but its internal divisions limit any real challenge to Western dominance
- BRICS has grown more important, but its authoritarian members remain too divided to act as a strong anti-Western alliance

## Pieces

- 2026-09-17 00:21 UTC — [Modi and Xi’s Meeting Caps a Detente](https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/16/modi-xi-brics-meeting-india-china-detente) — Michael Kugelman (Foreign Policy) [en]
- 2026-09-14 13:00 UTC — [Libor Dvořák: Summit BRICS jako důležitý symbol](https://plus.rozhlas.cz/libor-dvorak-summit-brics-jako-dulezity-symbol-9642967) — Libor Dvořák (Český rozhlas Plus (Komentáře)) [cs]
- 2026-09-12 03:10 UTC — [KOMMENTAR - Die Präsidenten Chinas, Russlands und Irans treffen sich – doch sind sie eine schlagkräftige Allianz gegen den Westen?](https://www.nzz.ch/meinung/die-praesidenten-chinas-russlands-und-irans-treffen-sich-doch-eine-schlagkraeftige-allianz-gegen-den-westen-sind-die-brics-nicht-ld.10023041) — Patrick Zoll (NZZ) [de]

### Related

- 2026-09-15 17:00 UTC — [Il vertice BRICS e il disgelo tra India e Cina](https://appunti.substack.com/p/il-vertice-brics-e-il-disgelo-tra) — Stefano Feltri (Appunti) [it]
- 2026-09-14 12:00 UTC — [BRICS leaders urge global financial system reform, but does it avoid the Thucydides Trap?](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2026-09-14-brics-leaders-urge-global-financial-system-reform-but-does-it-avoid-the-thucydides-trap) — Mark Swilling (Daily Maverick Opinionista) [en]
- 2026-09-17 14:16 UTC — [China Is Running a Different AI Race](https://techpolicy.press/china-is-running-a-different-ai-race) — Prince Osaji (Tech Policy Press) [en]
- 2026-09-16 07:30 UTC — [Strategic Stability and the Rebuilding of Xi’s Military](https://warontherocks.com/strategic-stability-and-the-rebuilding-of-xis-military) — Christopher Nye / Charles Sun (War on the Rocks) [en]
- 2026-09-15 06:57 UTC — [Only China, India, and Russia Can End the Iran War](https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/09/15/only-china-india-and-russia-can-end-the-iran-war) — Amir Handjani (Foreign Policy) [en]
- 2026-09-18 03:35 UTC — [KOMMENTAR - Den globalen Süden gibt es nicht – der Mythos hilft Diktatoren, Linkspopulisten und ehrgeizigen Politikern](https://www.nzz.ch/meinung/warum-der-globale-sueden-ein-mythos-und-nuetzlich-fuer-diktatoren-ist-ld.10024033) — Daniel Rickenbacher (NZZ) [de]